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Representatives from Atrium Health Levine Children's School-Based Virtual Care program and staff from the Rutherford County Schools (RCS) gathered Monday afternoon at Forest City Dunbar Elementary to celebrate the expansion of the health care program. Monday's kick-off celebrates the virtual based-school care in RSC elementary schools.
"This is a great day for Rutherford County Schools," said Superintendent Dr. David Sutton as he welcomed a contingent of Atrium Health representatives and administrators and staff from RCS.
He said it's the goal of RCS to make sure students will be able to learn in a safe and learning environment and that includes access to health care.
"I couldn't be happier...this is a game changer," Sutton said of virtual health care offered at all elementary schools.
Megan Cody, AVP/Administrative Director for Levine Children's told the group she was thrilled to be celebrating the expansion of Atrium Health's school-based virtual care program in the Rutherford County Schools.
"I'm honored to announce the gift that made this all possible. Lending Tree's CEO Doug Lebda and his family committed half a million dollars to create the Lebda Family Rural Healthcare Program to support virtual care in rural communities.
"Doug and his family are true champions of access to care for our children and families," Cody said. "This gift will have a profound impact on those who would otherwise go without healthcare or face significant challenges in receiving primary care," she continued.
She said thanks to Lebda family's vision and generosity, "we are not only improving access and preventing avoidable visits to the emergency room, but we are also providing more class time for students and less missed work for parents," Cody continued.
"Philanthropy has been a driving force behind our virtual care program, which provides families a convenient and high quality option for health care," she said.
Atrium Health Levine Children's began the virtual clinics in Cleveland County schools in 2017-2018 and since then, the program is in over 150 schools across eight counties in North Carolina.
"Last year alone we completed over 10,000 video visits and comprehensive medical exams of students, virtually," Cody added.
Lebda said his family thrived on helping others to have good health care and although most of their philanthropy work is behind the scenes, the family was willing to put their name "out there, if it could make a difference in the virtual care at schools," he said.
He said from behavioral health issues to earaches, sore throats, the program can keep families out of the emergency room by having health care available at the schools.
"I am very honored to see this take off," he continued.
Sutton thanked Levine Children's for their investment in helping with the education of Rutherford County Schools students.
Other guests included Kirstin Ashford, VP Atrium Health Foundation Kat Lefever AVP, Atrium Health Foundation; Sam McGinnis, director, administrator, Levine's Children's,
Patsy Fisher, senior ambulatory manager, school and community based telemedicine; Jackie McSwain, practice manager for Rutherford Peds and Shelby Children's Clinics.
School-Based Virtual Care Services
School-Based Virtual Care provides care for minor conditions - similar to what you'd go to an urgent care or pediatrician for. Some locations also offer mental health services.
Common conditions treated:
A diagnosis, treatment plan and prescription if needed for conditions like: Allergies, Asthma, Coughs and colds, Ear pain, Fever, Flu symptoms, Head lice, Headache, Pink eye, Rash, Sore throat, Stomachache and Urinary tract infection.
Mental health care:
At select locations, School-Based Virtual Care partners with Atrium Health Behavioral Health to offer virtual care for mental health issues, like: Anxiety, Attention difficulties and trouble concentrating, Classroom behavior issues, Grief, Irritability and Sadness.
